Abstract
AbstractGeneration of antigen-specific memory T cells has been analyzed only for few coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinees, whereas antibody titers have been serologically measured for a large number of individuals. Here, we assessed the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cellular immune response in a large cohort using interferon (IFN)-γ release assays (IGRAs) based on short-term whole blood culture. The study included 571 individuals who received the viral spike (S) protein-expressing BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Serum IgG titers against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of S protein were measured. Samples of 28 vaccinees were subjected to flow cytometry analysis of T cells derived from short-term whole blood culture. IFN-γ production triggered by S antigens was observed in most individuals 8 weeks after receiving the second dose of the vaccine, indicating acquisition of T cell memory responses. The frequencies of activated T cell subsets were strongly correlated with IFN-γ levels, supporting the usability of our approach. S antigen-stimulated IFN-γ levels were weakly correlated with anti-RBD IgG titers and associated with pre-vaccination infection and adverse reactions after the second dose. Our approach revealed cellular immunity acquired after COVID-19 vaccination, providing insights regarding the effects and adverse reactions of vaccination.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Reference28 articles.
1. BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine in a nationwide mass vaccination setting. New Engl;J. Med,2021
2. Incident SARS-CoV-2 Infection among mRNA-vaccinated and unvaccinated nursing home residents. New Engl;J. Med,2021
3. COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b1 elicits human antibody and T(H)1 T cell responses;Nature,2020
4. Cellular and humoral response after mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in kidney transplant recipients;Am. J. Transplant,2021
5. Immunogenicity of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in patients with inborn errors of immunity;J. Allergy Clin. Immunol,2021